Braced for Impact

It never used to bother me until I hit a deer, now I drive with fists and butt clenched, eyes peeled for the parade of animals I’m convinced are poised to commit Harry Carry by jumping onto the hood of my car.

It’s mentally and physically exhausting… 😩

This morning, as I white knuckled it home from an early drop-off at the airport, I marveled at the people speeding past me on the road. It was absolutely pitch black, but there they were..pedal to the metal.. seemingly without a care in the world. And there I was, driving half the speed limit like a granny, craning my head left and right, braced for imminent impact with Bambi’s dad.

It struck me that this is sometimes how I live my life: braced for impact.

My “car” isn’t stuck in the garage per se, but I’ll freely admit there are plenty of days when I’m unable to “enjoy the ride.” My mom and I talked about this very thing just recently, how we create and project nightmarish scenarios into our tomorrows, then ruin our todays waiting for them to hit.

This is no way to live OR to drive.

So how to navigate the twists and turns, the darkness and the unknown?

The truth is that no matter how tightly I grip the wheel, how slowly I drive, how alert I am..nothing can change the fact that I cannot see what may, or may not, lie ahead. The only antidote to the anxiety this can generate is to trust God, buckle up, press on the gas and GO..and to soak in the truth of God’s wonderful promises.. (see below)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

-Proverbs 3:5-6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

-Philippians 4:6-7

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

-Psalm 23-4

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

How did you manage your anxiety on that INCREDIBLE trip? My gosh, that is far and away so much more than I could deal with!! There isn’t enough pepto bismol on the planet for me to attempt something like that..😩

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